McKeon gave Gwynn first shot -- and more

There was no turning back after that for one of baseball’s greatest hitters.

McKeon, as general manager of the San Diego Padres, signed the outfielder and later called him up to the major leagues.

“You know he’s ready and you want to give him a little experience at Triple-A,” McKeon said Monday after learning Gwynn died from cancer. “Once he got there, he was there to stay.”

Gwynn was 54 years old. He had been battling cancer as coach at San Diego State.

“I was checking on him a couple of weeks ago and I heard he was in bad shape, but I didn’t expect this,” said McKeon, who lives in Elon.

Gwynn had a close relationship as a player with another Elon man, former big-league pitcher Greg Booker. They spent time together in the minor leagues, becoming roommates at one point.

Gwynn was a guest at clinic in Alamance County years ago as Booker’s guest.

To McKeon, the sweet-swinging Gwynn was much more than a threat in the batter’s box. McKeon said Gwynn’s determination to become a better outfielder and to improve his base running were things he fondly recalls.

McKeon, who directed the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series championship, said he was inundated with interview requests as word spread of Gwynn’s death. He served as Gwynn’s manager with the Padres from 1988-90.

“He was probably the greatest player I ever managed,” McKeon said. “Of all the guys I ever managed, he had the greatest work ethic. He made himself a Hall of Famer. When he made up his mind, he had a great passion to be the best.”

McKeon said he believes that Ted Williams and Gwynn are the greatest hitters of all time.

Part of Gwynn’s development involved the early stages of studying video, McKeon said. The player was instrumental in showing players how to use video footage to improve, even purchasing the equipment before it became widespread in baseball.

McKeon was also impressed with how Gwynn was an engaging personality in the major leagues.

“He was a people-person guy,” McKeon said. “He loved to sign autographs and talk to people.”